UAV Flight Data Augmented Reality Overlay for Pilots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) pilots face challenges in maintaining visual contact while accessing flight data, leading to potential crashes and inefficient operations, as looking away from the UAV to view data can result in loss of sight and unsafe or uncontrolled flight.
Innovation Solution
A headset-based system that overlays critical flight data, such as energy levels, altitude, and video feeds, directly onto the pilot's view of the UAV using augmented reality, allowing pilots to monitor flight data without diverting their gaze from the UAV.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the pilot looks at a separate display device to view flight data, then the flight data can be displayed clearly, but the pilot loses visual contact with the UAV
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flight data display with the pilot's natural view of the UAV by using augmented reality technology. The display device projects flight information overlays directly onto the pilot's field of view, combining the UAV visual with data visualization in a single unified view, thereby eliminating the need to switch between separate displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional separate display to a three-dimensional augmented reality overlay that integrates with the pilot's natural visual field. The flight data is rendered in spatial layers that can be positioned at different distances and angles, allowing the pilot to perceive both the UAV and flight information simultaneously in the same visual space.
2Loss of information
If the pilot frequently checks flight data on a separate display, then comprehensive flight information can be monitored, but the pilot's attention is diverted from the UAV
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple flight data streams (altitude, speed, battery level, location, video feeds) into a single integrated augmented reality overlay that the pilot views simultaneously with the UAV, eliminating the need to switch between different data sources and maintaining continuous attention on the aircraft.
Solution Approach 2:
The augmented reality display acts as an intermediary between the flight data sources and the pilot's brain, processing and presenting information in a way that naturally integrates with the pilot's existing visual attention pattern, allowing data consumption without attentional switching.
3Loss of information
If the overlay displays all flight data, then complete information is provided, but the overlay occupies too much of the real view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments flight data into multiple categories (altitude, speed, battery, location, video feeds) and presents each as separate overlay elements that can be independently positioned and sized. This allows the pilot to see all data types while maintaining flexibility in their spatial arrangement to minimize total overlay area.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlay elements are dynamically adjustable in size, position, and visibility based on flight conditions and pilot preferences. Critical data can be emphasized during critical phases of flight, while less critical data can be minimized or hidden, allowing the overlay area to adapt to maintain optimal view clarity.
Data Source
AI summary
Flight data of an unmanned aerial vehicle or UAV is determined while the unmanned aerial vehicle is under control of a surface-based pilot. An overlay that describes the flight data is generated. The overlay may present operational data, such as altitude and speed; video, such as captured from a camera at the UAV; or a combination of such. The overlay combined with a real view of the unmanned aerial vehicle is displayed to the surface-based pilot.